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ILA Outstanding Service Award

The ILA Outstanding Service award honors exceptional, individual ILA members who have demonstrated unwavering dedication and selfless service to the ILA community.

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Now Accepting Nominations/Self-Nominations

Deadlines:

  • Nominations & Self-Nominations Due: 15 June 2026, 11:59 PM EDT (UTC-4).
  • Additional Information Due from Nominees (if Nominated by Others): 15 July 2026, 11:59 PM EDT (UTC-4)
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This prestigious award is designed to honour exceptional individual members who have demonstrated unwavering dedication and selfless service to the ILA community. Through their remarkable volunteer efforts and steadfast commitment to their profession, these individuals have made a profound and lasting impact. Awarded annually, this recognition will celebrate an individual whose contributions have significantly enhanced the vibrancy and cohesion of the ILA community.

Eligibility

All nominees must:

  • Be a current member of the International Leadership Association
  • The nominee must have volunteered with the International Leadership Association for a minimum of 5 years

Criteria

Nominations must address one or more of the following criteria; they do not have to address all criteria.

  • Important Service to ILA: Contributions to the association, including, but not limited to, elected office (e.g., member interest group chair), conference organizer, committee member, and volunteer service (e.g., paper reviewers and session chairs).
  • Significant Contributions: Contributing to a positive change and/or making a noteworthy impact through their ILA service.
  • Innovation and Creativity: Developing new ideas or solutions that benefit the ILA.
  • Collaboration: Contributing to the success of ILA while fostering a collegial environment.
  • Impact to the Field: Demonstrated service to the broader leadership community.

Recognition

Honorees will be recognized through the ILA and will receive:

  • A plaque/award during the Global Conference Awards ceremony 
  • Recognition on the ILA website

Nominations

Nominees may be self-nominated or nominated by a colleague.

To nominate an outstanding individual for this award, please review the guidelines above and submit your nomination to the ILA.

The nominator(s) must provide:

At least 1 brief letter of support from an ILA member summarizing how the nominee meets the criteria for the award. This letter should not exceed 250 words.

After being nominated, the nominee will receive an email from ILA inviting them to:

  • Respond to the award criteria (up to 750 words)
  • Provide a current Curriculum Vitae/Resume.

Additional Notes

Additional Information: The ILA Award Committee may follow up to request additional information from the nominator and/or nominee during the selection process.

Notification: Selected award recipient will be notified by ILA. Award recipient will need to provide a high-resolution picture for promotional use and recognition.

Timeline

  • Nominations & Self-Nominations Due: 15 June 2026, 11:59 PM EDT (UTC-4).
  • Additional Information Due from Nominees (if Nominated by Others): 15 July 2026, 11:59 PM EDT (UTC-4)
  • Final Awardee Selected: 1 September 2026

Renewable Nominations

Candidate pools for these awards are quite competitive, and nominators may wish to renew their nomination to the following year’s candidate pool if their submitted candidate did not receive an award. In order to renew your nomination of a candidate, the nominator must update their statement to the award criteria and may update other relevant material.